WITNESSES TO HOPE -- TEMOINS DE L'ESPOIR -- TESTIGOS DE LA ESPERANZA

All of today’s readings find
fault. In one of his first “sermons” after Pentecost, St. Peter says, “You
denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to
you.” St. John calls “liars” those who do not keep Jesus’ commandments. Jesus
asks his disciples why they are so terrified.

So Our Lady of La Salette is in
good company when she finds fault with her people. “How long a time I have
suffered for you, and you pay no heed!.. If the harvest is ruined, it is only
on account of yourselves.”

Fortunately, none of them stops
there. St. Peter acknowledges that his listeners acted in ignorance; St. John
reminds us that we have Jesus as our Advocate; Jesus even asks for food to
prove that he is no ghost; and the Beautiful Lady shows us the way to
reconciliation and hope.

Mary could easily have
incorporated certain phrases from today’s reading in her message. “Jesus is
expiation for our sins.” “Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins
may be wiped away.” She came as one of those who preach “repentance, for the
forgiveness of sins” in Jesus’ name.

That she did not actually quote
any of these texts, or others equally appropriate, hardly matters. There is no
mistaking the meaning of her words, or the very purpose of her apparition.

The Gospel passage ends with
Jesus’ words, “You are witnesses of these things.” In the Acts of the Apostles
St. Peter, preaching about the death and resurrection of Jesus, states, “Of
this we are witnesses.” In both contexts, the meaning is not simply that the Apostles
saw and heard certain things, but that they were expected to testify to them,
to spread the word.

Maximin and Mélanie, the
witnesses of Our Lady’s Apparition at La Salette, also took their
responsibility seriously, even in the face of threats and bribes. They were
given a wisdom beyond their years when they were interrogated. In spite of
their flaws and ignorance (or maybe because of them), they are a great example
to us of witnessing to our faith and hope.